Things to do on the Park this October Half Term

Make every moment count and wish farewell to the British Summer Time with Olympic-sized fun!

Friday 29 September 2017

With a high-speed train service from St. Pancras International, numerous bus services, DLR, Overground Jubilee and Central lines and more coming to Stratford’s stations, you can get to London’s most exciting Park quickly and effortlessly! Come and measure yourself up against the world’s best athletes and try a new sport or activity in the iconic venues from London 2012! Here are top tips for October half term:

Kick-start your half term (literally) with some world-class action at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix in the Box That Rocks! Join Olympic medallists Jade Jones, Bianca Walkden and Lutalo Muhammed, as well as 250 world leading athletes, as they battle it out for gold from Friday 20 – Sunday 22 October. If cycling is more your style, then grab a ticket for the liveliest event in the cycling calendar – Six Day London. The event takes place from Tuesday 24 – Sunday 29 October, featuring numerous Olympians and nail-biting races on the iconic velodrome track at the Lee Valley VeloPark – suitable for the whole family!

The fun doesn’t stop there! The ArcelorMittal Orbit is open for action every day during October half term, from 10am – 6pm from Saturday 21 - Tuesday 24 and on Sunday 29. Exclusive twilight evenings for stunning skyline views at dusk with late night opportunities to Ride The Slide and take on the UK's highest freefall abseil will also be available from 10am – 9pm on from Wednesday 25 - Saturday 28. The adventure starts with a journey up to the podium, hovering 114.5 metres above the ground for great views over an autumnal London. The fun distorting mirrors are particularly popular with kids (and big kids alike) as they turn the view upside down and stretch your head to five times the size! Furthermore, let our touchscreens educate the young ones as we point out facts about the popular London attractions that make up the stunning London skyline.

Descend back to the ground on London’s most hair-raising attraction. The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit takes riders on an exhilarating ride through 12 twists, loops and curves in the 178 meter long tunnel, which makes it both the highest and longest tunnel slide in the world. With enough adrenaline to keep your legs shaking until midnight, you’ll definitely head back to school with a story to make your friends jealous!

Looking for more ways to tire out the kids? Or even an activity to participate together as a family? Then join us in the Pool of Champions for a day of excitement (and exhaustion!). Get your heart racing on the UK’s largest indoor inflatable course as you run, duck, slip and slide through an Ultimate Aqua Splash session – available for competent swimmers aged 8 and over. Younger or less experienced swimmers can also enjoy the Aqua Splash and Extreme Aqua Splash sessions which still provide all the excitement, just with a little less splash!

Or if you’re looking to learn, perfect or adapt your swimming and diving ability, then check out the Tom Daley Academy short courses – covering the important aspects of the aquatic disciplines over the half term break. These sessions take place every day from Monday 23 – Friday 27 October. Book your place here.

Does your kid fancy themselves as the next Jason Kenny or Dame Sarah Storey? Follow the footsteps of the athletes from London 2012! Bring your aspiring young athletes to Lee Valley VeloPark for some cycling fun, with an opportunity to ride on the 42 degree velodrome in a TrackAttack session! Also, the Pedal Up! Pump sessions are the perfect one-hour introduction into BMX and Mountain-biking. Similarly, the BMX Thrills/MTB Skills sessions will challenge more experienced children to improve their skills and eventually take on the outdoor tracks. Check out their website to see which session is suitable for you.

Can’t decide which sport is for you? Head over to the Timber Lodge Cafe for inclusive sports sessions on Wednesday 25 October, 12pm - 4pm. There’s no need to book – simply turn up and enjoy! Or if you’re looking to embrace the Halloween spirit, don your creepiest costume and take part in a 2k or 5k Halloween Fun Run on Saturday 28 October!

Did you know the Park boasts a whopping 560 acres of parklands? We have some trails ready to give you and the family a chance to take in the many sights and sounds of the Park. The sporty ones amongst us can relive the 2012 in our London 2012 trail. Additionally, young detectives can unlock the Park’s secret missions and collect stamps along the way in our interactive Children’s trail. Need a break yet? Sit back and relax on one of the relaxing boat tours to explore the Park's waterways or take a swan pedalo out for a spin and go at your own pace!

Be sure to stop by on the Park’s state-of-the-art adventure play areas. With the rock pools, sand pits, treehouses, slides and swings of the Tumbling Bay playground in the north to the climbing walls and sand pits in the south. And October half term is the last time to enjoy the hugely popular interactive fountains before they take their winter break from November!

After an action packed day, make sure you stop for a bite to eat at one of the Park’s many restaurants and cafés. Head to Canalside to enjoy delicious food by the beautiful canal, sample fresh produce sourced from local shops and market traders at the Timber Lodge Cafe or sit in the shadows of the London Stadium to enjoy a mouth-watering menu at The Last Drop. Perfect for refuelling your muscles and even your phone battery!

Let us know what you are up to at the Park during October half term by posting your pictures on Instagram#QEOP and letting us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.